Just Do It

Thanks to all for the pre 'Race' good lucks etc. It wasn't something I was expecting for a TT.

I took it easy the few days leading into the TT following a plan that L had set up.
I struggled even to complete that, with the back issues from last week. I wasn't quite 100% going into this weekend but I kept telling myself and others otherwise.
I slept poor due to a combination of things and only had about 3-4 hours shut eye. It wasn't a big deal though as had slept well the previous 2 nights.
The route I picked was tough and this was pointed out to me a few times. I simply picked it as it allowed the family to see me at their convenience. It also meant I didn't have far to go to get into a warm shower afterwards.
The big plus though was the weather conditions were perfect. It was about 9 degrees and no wind or rain.
I was up at stupid o clock having a bit of breakfast with the TV on. I was actually watching the tail end of the Rugby between New Zealand and Australia as my prep. It seemed crazy but liberating to see a full crowd of 50 thousand at the match without a mask in sight - I long for that again.

26.2 TT

Miles 1-7
I had 4 loops of 6.2 miles and a mini loop of 1.4 miles to complete. I did the mini loop first to get it out of the way and then kicked into the main loop for the first time. The main takeaway I had from the first few miles is that, I just didn't get the feeling of fresh tapered legs. They felt a bit laboured so there was no danger of going off too fast. I brought my phone so my wife and 2 running buddies could track me on Garmin Live Track. Since I had the phone, I brought the ear buds and listened to the last couple episodes of 'Where is George Gibney'. I was an emotional wreck then so ditched the earphones at my drinks/gel station at start/finish line after first loop. Despite me starting at 06.50, my wife and kids were there to give me a cheer here to my pleasant surprise.
6,53, 6.42, 6.52, 6.46, 6.52. 6.46, 6.42,

Miles 8-14
I wasn't long into this loop when I got a bit of a left hamstring twitch on one of the climbs. It was immediately followed by a something similar in my back. I just pretended it wasn't there and hoped it would go away. They both did(thank god) when I eased the pace a tad. My bro in law met me half way through loop in his car and gave me some water. He was then spinning around back to start to get ready to join me for the 3rd Loop. I went through half way point somewhere between 1.28 - 1.29 which was on the button for what I had planned. The plan was simply sub 3 - Even enough splits, leaning towards slight negative split if body allows.
6.36, 6.41, 6.42, 6.40, 6.38, 6.51, 6.46

Miles 15-20
As I said above the bro in law joined me here for start of this loop. He had a gel open and bottle of water waiting to hand to me- Class. The plan here was him to do 3 or 4 miles with me and get ahead of me coming up to road crossings as more chance of traffic now then when I started. The family had moved and gave me another big cheers around here somewhere. Roll forward 4 miles , I was feeling good as I left him to his shout of encouragement as I approached Dundrum Town Centre for the third time. I was only running alone here now for approx 2 mins when my friend came to meet me. He was planning to do last 6.2 mile loop with me but joined me with just over 8 miles to go which was great for the company and pacing. For anyone who knows it, there is a hill that comes out of Dundrum village up Barton Road which is a fairly steep short hill but then a drag for another 200 metres. I eased myself up it every time but on the 3rd loop , I remember thinking I will really feel this next time. Its at the 4 mile marker of the route.
6.44, 6.47, 6.40. 6.35 , 6.43 , 6.47

21- to end
The family were there to cheer me on again at start of last 10k loop. I grabbed a bit more water and C asked me how was I feeling? I said "Good". With a wry smile, he goes you know this sub 3 is in the bag right? Do you think 2.55 is on? was his next question? mmmmmmm, I hesitated and said lets just sit between 6.40-6.50 for next ten mins then I will see how I am. The ups, downs, road crossings, road works avoidance etc was taking energy out of my legs. The plan was simply sub 3 today(no macho heroics D). He recently went sub 5min for a mile and sub 3 for a 1km so I was afraid he would gone half way down the road if I said yes . I shouldn't have worried he was absolutely brilliant in supporting me home. I was still feeling ok passing Balally luas approaching DTC for the last time but was very content in getting home now and not pushing the pace for last 3 miles. My first and only road crossing issue of day came here. Lights were against me and cars started to pull off as I approached. We took a sharp left to keep moving and searched for an opening. I misread C signals as my concentration levels were low. He got across and got my self caught in no mans land(Agh you eejit D). I eventually got across a second or 2 later and wasn't bothered about losing a couple of seconds. The issue was that I lost my rhythm. C eased us slowly back into marathon pace but 6.45 was now suddenly harder to get too. 6.50-55 was manageable still. I was very comfortable for 23 miles but I had a bit of a challenge on my hands all of a sudden. Approaching Barton road hill, I eased up for the final time. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be scaling the hill. The issue was now my pace was leaking downwards and trying to get back to 7 min mile pace for last 2 miles was proving difficult despite a flat section. I wasn't sore as such but my legs were beginning to say enough is enough. There was also a psychological element here. I knew the last mile was a climb. P my bro in law joined us again for the last mile. They knew I was tiring, well because I told them so They both got out in front to ensure there were no walkers, buggies, cars pulling out of driveways. This helped alot as it was one less thing to worry about.

In a weird way I was still feeling ok on the last KM , but I was slowing down all the time. As I approached the end I could hear the cheers from my wife, kids and some other inlaws. It was brilliant but funny at same time. Due to a distance miscalculation, we had to run another 100 metres up the road. I wanted to clock at least 26.26 Miles. I collapsed to my Knees once I hit that distance with time of 2.57.44. Strava had me at 2.57.22 for a PB Marathon. I was chuffed. The lads were a great help keeping me relaxed and secure in the latter stages.
6.38, 6.43, 6.43, 6.54, 6.55, 7.07, 1.58


Few cans were had then, including one while I lay in the bath

Today, I'm sore all over as expected.

This has given me food for thought now. With a fairer route in a race, (without wanting to sound arrogant)I would be fairly confident of been able to go sub 2.55 and getting closer to 2.50. I have decided, I wont take on marathon training again unless I can be sure there is a race at the end of it.

Not sure what I will do next. I think I want to revisit that sub 5 minute mile at some stage soon. I have changed my Virtual marathon entry next week for the 4 miler so Ill do that easy i'd imagine. It may be my next run.

Thanks for reading

Itziger wrote: »

Good stuff, lad. Very good report to mirror a fine strong run. Little doubt that you'll improve on that time in a real one and easier course and all (But right now I'm happy to say we have an almost identical marathon PB!!)

Cheers..You have the one up here:) Mine isn't an official PB

crisco10 wrote: »

Nicely done. Not sure of your exact route, but guessing it involved roughly loops between Marlay area and Dundrum which is a tricky course alright. Especially in loops.
I hadn't even thought of how useful pacers would be as a "traffic escort" !

Well done and enjoy the sub 3hr buzz!

Thanks
Bascially started in Ballinteer near Marlay. Then up towards m50 slip road south bound, down past beacon hotel in sandyford. Then down towards Goatstown direction. Left at Kilmacud Road Upper down past Luas and shopping centre, right down Ballinteer avenue and up Barton Road as far as nutgrove roundabout. Left back up towards Marlay. The 'traffic escort', I only thought of during the first two solo loops.

Comic Book Guy wrote: »

Many congrats D. Great report but an even better race and performance.
You have made unbelievable progress this year made all the more impressive with the times we now live in.
Enjoy the Bulmers!!

Cheers J. Best of luck this wkend. What day are you running btw?

Swashbuckler wrote: »

Super stuff D. And in a TT no less. Makes it all the more impressive.

Cheers. I should have given you the live track link rather than you damaging your screen from refreshing strava